Electromagnetic packaging apparatus



Dec. 15, 1959 Filed July 13, 1956 S. OTTO ELECTROMAGNETIC PACKAGING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. STUART OTTO @lmwu mwjw his ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1959 s.o1"ro ELECTROMAGNETIC PACKAGING APPARATUS 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed July 13, .1956

IN VEN TOR STUART OTTO his ATTORNEYS j A R United States Patent 2,916,862 ELECTROMAGNETIC PACKAGING APPARATUS Stuart Otto, Westport, Conn.

Application July 13, 1956, Serial No. 597,609 26 Claims. (Cl. 53-55) This invention relates to apparatus for packaging oblong objects capable of being magnetized and, more particularly, to apparatus for orienting such objects in parallelism when introducing them into a carton or container in order to utilize to the maximum the available space within the carton or container.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the empty cartons in which the objects are to be packaged are delivered by a conveyor to a reciprocating carriage. The reciprocating carriage transports the empty carton to a vertically movable platform which raises the empty carton into telescoping relationship with. a filling chute. Weighed batches of the articles to be packaged are in-' troduced into the upper end of the filling chute, and the lower end of the filling chute is disposed between the poles of an electromagnet which, when magnetized, orients the falling objects in parallel alignment. When the electromagnet is thereafter demagnetized, the objects are permitted to settle within the emptycarton. Meanwhile, the carriage returns to receive another empty carton from the conveyor. After the filling operation, the platform is lowered to move the open end of the carton out of telescoping relationship with the chute, and during the next delivery stroke of the reciprocating carriage, it pushes the'filled carton from the filling position while delivering another empty carton to the movable platform. t

A feature of the apparatus of the present invention is that it provides improved means for delivering weighted batches of the objects to the filling chute during each filling cycle of the machine. In delivering the objects to the filling chute, the objects are discharged from a large hopper and fed intermittently at a controlled rate of delivery to a weighing mechanism. Weighed batches of the objects are'discharged into the upper end of the filling chute in timed relation to the presentation of empty cartons at the filling position. Thus, it is a feature of the present invention to provide means for discharging objects from a large hopper, feeding them at a controlled rate to a weighing mechanism, segregating, weighed batches of the objects, and delivering the weighed batches.

to the upper end of a filling chute in, timed relation to: the presentation of empty, cartons to the lower end .of the filling chute,

It is also a feature of the present invention to provide means for correcting the rate of weighing and segregating weighed batches of. the objects in order to synchronize the rate at which the batches of objects'are weighed and segregated with the rate at which empty cartons are fed'to the filling position.

The present invention also embodies a new control circuit by means of which the various operations of the apparatus are performed automatically in predetermined sequence. 1 These and other improvements of, the present invention will be apparent from the detailed. description which.

follows and from the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a schematic representation of the apparatus of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating the apparatus for delivering empty cartons to a filling position;

Figure 3 represents the control circuit for the apparatus;

Figure 4 represents a control circuit for magnetizing the electromagnet in order to orient the objects falling through the chute and thereafter demagnetizing the electromagnet to permit the objects to fall and settle into the container after they are oriented; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a component shown in Figure 2.

In general the scheme of operation, empty cartons 1 are fed by a moving conveyor belt 2 to a carriage 3. The carriage 3 moves at right angles to the conveyor 2, and conveys the carton from the discharge end of the conveyor to a vertically movable platform 4. When the carton is delivered to the platform 4, the platform raises the carton into telescoping relationship with the lower end of a vertically disposed chute 5 made of nonmagnetizable material. The lower end of the chute 5 is disposed between the pole faces 6 of an electromagne t 7. The magnetizable objects to be packaged, such as nails or other elongated magnetizable objects, are dumped into the upper open end of the chute 5 and are oriented by the magnetic field produced across the interior of the chute by the electromagnet 7. During the filling operation, the carriage 3 returns to its initial position to receive another carton. The electromagnet 7 is demagnetized to permit the nails to settle in the carton 1, and the platform is lowered to its carton-receiving position so that during the next delivery stroke of the carriage 3 the filled carton will be pushed off the platform onto the downwardly inclined roller conveyor or slide 8 by means of which it is delivered onto a conveyor 9 and in registration with a guide wall 10. The conveyor 9 is continuously driven by a motor 11 through a chain 12, and the filled container is transported by the conveyor 9 to a carton-closing position.

Turning now to a description of the means for delivering a fixed quantity of nails to the chute 5 during each cycle of the machine, the nails are stored in a bin or hopper 14 from which they flow by gravity into a vibrator feeder chute 15. A sloped wall 14a of the hopper 14 is adapted to be vibrated by a vibrator 16 which aids the flow of nails.

The vibrator feeder 15 delivers the nails at a relatively uniform rate to a uniform distributor 17 which is a container having trap doors 17a which are adapted to be opened and closed automatically. The intensity of vibration of a vibrator 18 controls the rate of delivery of the nails from the feeder chute 15 to the container 17, and the. intensity of vibration of the vibrator 18 is controlled by'a rheostat 19 which is adapted to be automatically adjusted by synchronous motors 20, 21.

The synchronous motors 20, 21 are mounted in tandem to drive a common shaft, and they are adapted to rotate in opposite directions. The operation of the motor 20 adjusts the rheostat 19 to increase the intensity of vibration of the vibrator 18, and the operation ofthe motor 21 adjusts the rheostat 19 to decrease the intensity of vibration thereof. The common shaft of the motors 20 and 21 is connected to the rheostat through a speed reducing'geartrain 23 and a shaft 22. The motors 20, 21 are selectively operated to synchronize the rate at which weighed batches of the nails are segregated with the rate of feed of empty cartons to the filling position. The control: circuit for selectively operating the motors 20 and; 21 willv be described in connection with the circuit illustrated in Figure-3 of the drawings.

The function of the uniform distributor 17 is to present the nails to the weighing receptacle 24 at a more uniform rate. The Weighing receptacle 24 is pivotally mounted at 25 to one arm of a balance beam 26 which is pivoted about a center fulcrum 27. A weight 28 is supported on the other arm of the balance beam 26, and the weight is so selected that when the desired quantity of nails is released from the container 17 through the trap doors 17a thereof, the balance beam 26 will be pivoted in a counterclockwise direction, lifting the arm olf its support 30 and bringing the other arm to rest against the support 31.

The balance beam 26 carries a contact 32, and when a sutficient quantity of nails is received in the weighing container 24 and the balance beam 26 is pivoted in the manner described above, the contact 32 will engage a stationary contact 33 completing a circuit from the power supply impressed across the terminals 34 to energize the solenoids 35 and 36. The solenoid 35 is operative through a linkage 37 to close the trap doors 17a and to maintain them closed. The solenoid 36 causes its armature 36a to be raised into engagement with the hopper 24 to pivot the hopper 24 to dumping position. When thus pivoted, the nails are dropped into a bin 39 having a lower door 40 which is held closed by a spring urged latch 41.

In lieu of the trap doors 17a, a hollow electromagnet 17b may be mounted around the opening in the base of the container 17. When the electromagnet is energized, the nails will be attracted thereto and will not be dropped through the opening in the container 17. When, however, the electromagnet is deenergized, the nails will be permitted to drop through the opening in the container 17. The electromagnet would replace the solenoid 35 in the electrical circuit, so that a magnetic field produced by the electromagnet upon closing of the contacts 32, 33 would prevent the discharge of nails from the container 17.

The bin 39 is supported between the ends of levers 42 which are pivotally mounted at 43 to a support 44. The opposite ends of the levers 42 support a spring urged plunger 45 which engages the contact arm of a switch 46. When the bin 39 is empty, the spring urged plunger maintains the bin and the door 40 slightly raised above the latch 41. When, however, the nails have been dumped into the bin 39, the bin drops into contact with the latch 41, raising the plunger into position to close the switch 46, thereby completing a circuit for the energization of a solenoid 47 which retracts and releases the latch 41. When the latch 41 is retracted, the door 40, which is pivotally mounted at 48, drops to discharge the nails into the upper receiving end 5a of the vertically disposed chute 5. When all of the nails are delivered from the bin 39 to the chute 5, the door 40 is automatically closed by a counterweight 50.

Now tracing the delivery of the empty cartons to the movable platform 4 at the filling position, the cartons, as mentioned above, are transported by a continuously moving conveyor 2 between the side walls 52, 53. The

leading carton in line is held in waiting position at the discharge end of the conveyor 2 by a spring urged plunger 54 which engages the side wall thereof, wedging the carton against the far wall 53. While the carton is thus held in waiting position, the conveyor will slip in relation thereto.

' The plunger 54 is adapted to be released by the energization of a solenoid 55. Upon the release of the carton, the conveyor 2 advances it forwardly onto the carriage 3. When the carton 1 is received on the carriage 3, the front wall of the carton will engage and open a normally closed switch 56 to initiate the forward movement of the carriage.

The carriage 3 is provided with rotatable Wheels 57 which travel in grooves 58 of a pair of side rails 59. The forward end of the carriage 3 is provided with a pair of forwardly projecting bars 60, each having a U-shaped bumper piece 61 atfixed to the forward end thereof. The forward upstanding leg 61a of the U-shaped piece 61 serves as a bumper for pushing a filled carton from the platform 4 onto the downwardly inclined roller slide 8. The platform 4 is provided with slots 79, which receive the U-shaped bumper members 61 of the carriage. The empty carton transported by the carriage 3 is accommodated between the rearward upturned leg 61b of the U-shaped member 61 and the blocks 62 spaced apart from and behind the upturned leg 61b. During the forward stroke of the carriage 3, the carton is guided between the parallel walls 53a, 53b to a position above the platform 4.

As best shown in Figure 1, the carriage 3 carries a pair of cam members 63, 64. The rearwardly disposed cam member 63 closes a switch 65 when the carriage is in the carton-receiving position, and the cam member 64 actuates the switch 66 when the carriage is in the cartondelivering position. The switch 65 is in series with the solenoid 55. When, therefore, the carriage 3 is in the carton-receiving position and the switch 65 is held closed, an electrical circuit is completed from the DC terminals 68, 68a to energize the solenoid 55. As explained above, the energization of the solenoid 55 moves the plunger 54 to retracted position, permitting a carton to be advanced onto the carriage 3. When the carriage is advanced in a forwardly direction, the switch 65 is opened, thereby deenergizing the solenoid 55 so that the next carton in line will be held in waiting position in slipping engagement with the moving conveyor 2.

The reciprocation of the carriage 3 is controlled by the reciprocation of a movable piston rod 72. A movable piston is slidably housed within the chamber of a cylinder 71, and the piston rod 72 attached to the movable piston protrudes from the upper end of the cylinder 71. The piston rod 72 is attached to opposite ends of a chain 73 which is guided by pulleys 74, 75 and 76. The chain is connected to the carriage 3 so that the upward movement of the piston rod 72 advances the carriage toward the electromagnet 7, and the downward movement of the piston 72 retracts the carriage to the carton-receiving position. The energization of the carriage air valve 70 admits air from the air supply line 77 into the lower end of the cylinder 71, thereby raising the piston rod 72 and moving the carriage forwardly to deliver the carton to the vertically movable platform 4. The energization of the air valve admits air from the air supply line 77 into the upper end of the cylinder 71, thereby lowering the piston rod 72 and moving the carriage rearwardly to receive another carton from the conveyor 2. When the normally closed switch 56 is opened, indicating that an empty carton has been received by the carriage, a circuit is completed to energize the air valve 70, thereby moving the carriage forwardly to the platform.

The platform 4 is attached to the upper end of a vertically movable piston rod 81 of a pneumatic cylinder 82. The platform 4 is raised by the energization of the air valve 83 which admits air through the conduit 84 into the lower end of the cylinder 82. The energization of the air valve 83 is one of a number of operations initiated by the actuation of the switch 66. When the platform 4 is raised, the carton sitting on top of the platform 4 is elevated into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute 5.

The actuation of the switch 66 by the cam 64 initiates several other operations, including the energization of the electromagnet 7 and the energization of the solenoid 47 which dumps the weighed batch of nails vinto the upper end of the chute 5, provided the gate limit switch 46 is closed, indicating a batch of weighted nails ready to be dumped. It also controls the return movement of the carriage to carton-receiving position after the elevation of the platform 4 by energ zing the air valve 85.

In the elevated position of the platform 4, the upstanding bumpers 61a will be able to move beneath the carton through the slots 79, 80 of the platform. 1

As explained above, when the solenoid 47 is energized, the gate or door 40 is opened to. drop the weighed batch of nails into the chute 5. The nails in free flight pass through the paralleling magnetic flux, and the magnetic flux orients the nails in parallel alignment before the nails reach the lower end of the chute. After a suitable time delay, the electromagnet is demagnetized, permitting the nails to settle in the carton, and the air valve 83 also is deenergized, permitting the platform to be lowered by the action of the spring 86 accommodated within the cylinder 82. As explained above, during the next forward movement of the carriage 3, the filled container will be pushed off the platform 4 onto the downwardly inclined slide 8 by the bumper 61a, completing the cycle of operation.

The control circuit for the present invention is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings. A power supply of 115 volts AC. is impressed across the primaries of the transformers T1 and T2 by the lines 98, 99. The output of the secondary of the transformer T1 is rectified to DC. by a selenium type rectifier 90, and the output of the rectifier is impressed across the lines 68, 68a, the latter line being grounded. The transformer T2 steps the voltage down to 15 volts A.C., and this voltage is impressed across the wires 91, 91a to operate the air valves 70 and 85 which have been described above. The 115-volt AC. power supply is also used to operate the two reversible motors 20 and 21 which adjust the rheostat 19 to regulate the rate of feed of nails from the vibrating feeder chute 15 described above.

In describing the circuit shown in Figure 3, it will be assumed that an empty carton 1 has been delivered to the carriage 3 from the conveyor 2 and that the carriage has been advanced to place the empty carton above the platform 4. As explained above, in this position of the carriage, the switch 66 is actuated. When actuated, it is moved from engagement with the contact 66a into engagement with the contact 66b. When the movable switch 66 is in engagement with the contact 66a, a capacitor 92 is charged by the voltage across the lines 68, 68a, and when the switch 66 is moved into engagement with the contact 66b, the capacitor is discharged through the latch relays A and F.

The energization of the latch relay A moves the contacts 93, 94, 95 and 96 into engagement with the stationary contacts a. The movement of the switch 93 from engagement with the contact a to engagement with the contact a breaks a circuit to the relay B and completes a circuit to the relay C. The relay B will,

be deenergized after a time interval determined by the discharge of the capacitor 103 through the resistance R1 and the relay B. The circuit to the relay C will also charge the capacitor 104 which with the resistance R4 forms a time delay circuit for the relay C. The relay B, when energized, holds open a normally closed switch b which, when closed, energizes and opens the air valve 85 which returns the carriage 3 to carton-receiving position. The relay C, when energized, holds open a normally closed switch c which, when closed, energizes and opens the air valve 70 which moves the carriage 3 in its operative stroke toward the platform 4. Thus, breaking of the circuit to the relay B and the completing of a circuit to a relay C by the movement of the switch 93 into engagement with the contact a closes the switch b and opens the switch c, thereby energizing and opening the air valve 85 to return the empty carriage 3 after the carton has been raised above it by the elevation of the platform 4.

The switches 94 and 95, when moved into engagement with the contact a, complete a circuit from the 115-volt power'supply lines 98, 99 to energize the air valve 83 and the relay 100. The energization of the air valve 83,

6 as explained above, raises the platform 4 to elevate the empty carton into telescoping relationship with thelower end of the chute 5. The energization of the relay initiates the energization of the electromagnet 7 by an electrical circuit which will be explained below in connection with Figure 4.

The switch 96, when moved .into engagement with the contact a, completes circuits to energize a latch relay D and the solenoid 47 which releases the latch 41 for the gate 40, provided, of course, the switch 46 is closed, indicating that a weighed batch of nails-has been received into the bin or hopper 39. In the event switch 46 has not closed, resistor R3 maintains a fully charged capacitor 116 until a weighed batch of nails has been received in the hopper 39 closing switch 46. Resistor R3 is of a sufliciently high value so as not to affect relay D or solenoid 47, but still high enough to maintain a charge in capacitor 116. The discharge of the capacitor 116 insures a strong pulse to energize the latch releasing solenoid 47.

The energization of the latch relay D opens the switch at which, as will be explained below in greater detail, breaks the circuit to a relay E. The capacitor 102 and the variable resistance R4 function as a time delay circuit to prevent the relayE from being deenergized immediately after the switch d opens. 1

The functions of the latching relays F and G and the relay H are to correct the rate of weighing and segregating weighed batches of nails in order to synchronize the rate of weighing and segregating weighed batches of nails with the rate at which empty cartons are fed to the filling position. As explained above, the latching relay F is closed by the discharge of the capacitor 92 when the switch 66 is moved into engagement with the contact 66b, and the switch 66 is moved into engagement with the contact 66b by the carriage 3 in carton-delivering position. The energization of the relay F moves the switches 105 and 106 into engagement with the fixed contacts The latch relay G is energized by the closing of the switch 46. As explained above, the switch 46 is closed when the nails are discharged from the weighing container 24 into the bin 39. When energized, the latch relay G moves the switches 108 and 109 into engagement with the stationary contacts g.

The relay H is adapted to be energized when the switch 106 is in engagement with the stationary contact f or when the switch 109 is in engagement with the stationary contact g. In either of these cases, the voltage across the lines 68, 68a will be impressed across the relay H. When either of these circuits is completed to energize the relay H, the capacitor 111, which with the resistance R5 forms a time delay circuit, will be energized. When the relay H is energized, the switch 110 moves into engagement with the contact h, and when deenergized, the switch 110 moves into engagement with the contact h. Since the switch 106 is moved into engagement with the contact f when the latch relay F is energized and the switch 109 is moved into engagement with the contact g when the latch relay G is energized, the relay H will be energized until both the latch relays F and G are energized.

If the carriage 3 delivers an empty carton to filling position before a weighed batch of nails is dumped into the bin 39, the switch 66 will be moved into engagement with the contact 66b before the switch 46 is closed, and the latch relay F will be energized before the latch relay G. During this interval, therefore, until the switch 46 is closed, the switch 105 will be moved in engagement with the contact 1 and the switch 108 will be in engagement with the contact g; hence, a circuit will be completed across the -volt AC. power supply lines 98, 99 to operate the synchronous motor 20. This circuit may be traced from the line 98, the motor 20, the switch 105 (in engagement with the contact 1) and the switch 108 (in engagement with the contact 3) to the line 99. As explained above, the synchronous motor 20 adjusts the rheostat 19 to increase in intensity of vibration of the vibrator 18, thereby increasing the rate of supply of the nails from the feeder chute 15. As soon as the switch 46 is closed, the latch relay G will be energized and the switch 108 moved into engagement with the contact g, breaking the circuit to the motor 20. The rheostat 19, however, remains in its newly adjusted position.

If a batch of weighed nails is dumped into the bin 39 before the carriage 3 delivers an empty carton to filling position, the switch 46 will be closed before the switch 66 is moved into engagement with the contact 66b. In this case, the latch relay G is energized before the latch relay F. The energization of the latch relay G, as explained, moves the switch 108 into engagement with the contact g, and until the relay F is energized the contact 105 will be in engagement with the contact f. Until the relay F is energized, an electrical circuit will be completed from the A.C. line 98 through the switches 108 (in engagement with the contact g), and 105 (in engagement with the contact f) and the motor 21 to the other A.C. line 99. Consequently, in the interval after the energization of the latch relay G and before the energization of the latch relay F, the motor 21 will be operative to adjust the rheostat 19 to reduce the intensity of vibration of the vibrator 18, thereby reducing the rate at which the nails are delivered by the feeder chute 15 to the container 17. Of course, as soon as the latch relay F is energized, the switch 105 will be moved into engagement with the contact f, thereby breaking the circuit to the motor 21.

As mentioned above, upon the energization of both the latch relay F (which moves the switch 106 into engagement with the contact f) and the latch relay G (which moves the switch 109 into engagement with the contact g), the circuit to the relay H is broken, and after a time delay which is provided by the discharge of the capacitor 111 through the resistance R5 and the relay H, the switch 110 is moved from engagement with the contact h to engagement with the contact h. With the switch 110 in engagement with the contact 11, a capacitor 112 is charged through the resistance R6, and when the switch 110 is moved into engagement with the contact h, the capacitor 112 is discharged through the latch relays G and F. The momentary energization of the latch relays F and G resets the relays F and G, respectively. More specifically, the energization of the latch relay F moves the switches 105 and 106 into engagement with the contacts f, and the energization of the latch relay G moves the switches 108 and 109 into engagement with the contacts g.

As explained above, the energization of the relay D opens the switch d. When this occurs, the circuit which is normally completed through the closed switch d to energize the relay E is broken, and the relay E is, therefore, deenergized as soon as the capacitor 102 discharges through the resistance R4 and the relay E. When this occurs, the switch e controlled by the relay E is closed, completing a circuit to energize the latch relays A and D. The energization of the latch relay A moves the switches 93, 94, 95 and 96 out of engagement with the contacts a and into engagement with the contacts a. The energization of the latch relay D closes the switch d to reenergize the relay E. Thus, the latch relays A and D are energized but momentarily.

The movement of the switches 94, 95 into engagement with the contacts a breaks the circuit to, the valve 83 permitting the platform 4 to be lowered, and also breaks the circuit to the relay 100, thereby initiating the demagnetization of the electromagnet 7. Also, the movement of the switch 96 into engagement with the contact a completes a circuit which recharges the capacitor 116 through the resistor R7.

The movement of the switch 93 into engagement with the contact a (as the result of the energization of the latch relay A) completes a circuit to energize the relay B, thereby opening the normally closed switch b. The- 8 relay C continues to be energized to hold open the switch C after the movement of the switch 93 out of engagement with the contact a by a circuit completed through the normally closed switch 56. The carriage 3, therefore, will remain in the carton-receiving position until an empty carton has been received thereon which opens the normally closed switch 56. As explained above, the opening of the switch 56 initiates the forward stroke of the carriage, repeating the cycle of operation described above.

Summarizing the operation of the carriage 3, when the carriage 3 'is in the carton-receiving position, the switch 65 is held closed and the solenoid 55 energized to permit another carton to be fed to the carriage 3 by the conveyor 2. When the empty carton is properly received by the carriage 3, it will engage and open the normally closed switch 56, thereby deenergizing the relay C as soon as the capacitor 104 is discharged. The deenergization of the relay C, in turn, permits the switch 0 to close, thereby impressing the voltage across the lines 91, 91a on the air valve 70. The energization of the air valve 70 advances the carriage 3 with the empty carton thereon to the platform 4. The switch c is maintained closed until the carriage 3 has completed its forward movement and moves the switch 66 into engagement with the contact 66b. This operation of the switch 66 energizes the latch relay A which, in turn, moves the switch 93 into engagement with the contact a. This actuation of the' switch 93 completes a circuit to the relay C, and the reenergization of the relay C opens the switch c, thereby breaking the circuit which energizes the air valve 70.

As explained above, the movement of the switch 93 out of engagement with the contact a breaks the circuit to, the relay B, and as soon as the capacitor 103 has discharged through the resistance R1 and the relay B, the switch b will close, thereby energizing the air valve to return the carriage 3 to start position.

The control circuits for energizing the electromagnet 7 to orient the nails as they fall through the chute 5 and for deenergizing the electromagnet 7 after the nails are properly oriented to permit them to settle quickly within the carton are best described in connection with Figure 4 of the drawings. As explained above in connection with Figure 3, the relay A is energized by the operation of the switch 66 when the carriage is in the carton-delivering position. Also, as explained above, the relay A closes switches 94 and 95 which complete an electrical circuit to energize the relay 100. As indicated in Figure 4, the energization of the relay closes a pair of switches 100s, and the closing of the switches 100s impresses the ll5-volt A.C. power supply across the terminals upon the input of a selenium rectifier 121. A circuit is thus completed in the output of the rectifier 121 to energize the relay I. The circuit can be traced from the line 122 through the relay J and the normally closed switch k1 to the line 123. The energization of the relay J closes switches i1 and i2 and opens switch i3, The closing of the switches f1 and '2 completes an electrical circuit to energize the electromagnet 7. As explained above, the energization of the electromagnet 7 orients the falling nails in the chute 5 into parallel alignment to facilitate packaging them within the carton to be filled.

As explained above in connection with the circuit in Figure 3, upon the energization of the latch relay A the circuit which energizes the relay 100 is broken, with the result that the switches 100s are opened, and the circuit which energizes the relay J is broken, thereby deenergizing the relay I. When the relay J is deenergized by the opening of the switches 100s, the normally closed switch '3 is permitted to close, thereby completing an electrical circuit through the switch 124. The switch 124 is held closed by the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet 7, and. since the magnetic field slowly decreases in intensity after the circuit to the electromagnet: 7 is broken, the switch 124 will be closed at the time 9.. that the switch 3 is closed, thereby completing a circuit to. energize the relay M.

The relay M closes switches m1 and m2 which completes a circuit to the selenium rectifier 126, the polarity of which is reversed in relation to the polarity of the selenium rectifier 121. The closing of the switches m1 and m2 impresses the 115-volt AC. power supply between the terminals 120 across the input of the rectifier 126, impressing 90 volts D.C. across the lines 127, 128 connected to the output of the rectifier 126. The output current of the reverse polarity rectifier 126 may be regulated by the adjustment of the rheostat R11. The voltage impressed across the lines 127, 128 energizes a relay K which, in turn, closes switches k2, k3 and opens the switch k1. The closing of the switches k2, k3 impresses the output voltage of the selenium rectifier 126 across the electromagnet 7, and, due to the opposite polarity of the rectifier 126, the electromagnet is rapidly deenergized. As soon as the magnetic flux falls to substantially zero, or in other words when the electromagnet 7 becomes completely deenergized, the switch 124 will be. permitted to open, thus breaking the circuit which energizes the relay M. The deenergization of the relay M opens the switches m1, m2, thus breaking the input to the rectifier 126. Since the relay K is energized by the output of the rectifier 126, the relay K is deenergized and the switches k2, k3 are opened, breaking the electrical circuit to the electromagnet 7. This completes the cycle of operation.

The invention has been shown in single preferred form and by way of example only, and obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention, therefore, is not to be limited to any specified form or embodiment except in so far as such limitations are set forth in the claims.

I claim: 7 1. Apparatus for. packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute between said pole faces, a conveyor, stop means at the discharge end of the conveyor which in operative position holds the carton in waiting position on the conveyor, .a reciprocating carriage for receiving empty cartons from the conveyor and delivering them to filling position beneath the chute, first switch means actuated by the delivery of the carton to the carriage for initiating the forward stroke of the carriage, a platform for raising the empty carton above the carriage, means operative to discharge a batch of objects into the chute, second switch means actuated by the movement of the carriage to position for delivering an empty carton to the platform for conditioning for operation said means operative to discharge a batch of objects to the chute, said switch means being also operative to initiate the return movement of the carriage to position to receive another empty carton from the conveyor, a time delay means to delay the return movement of the carriage to cartonreceiving position, and third switch means actuated'by thereturn movement of the carriage to release the stop means, thereby releasing another carton for delivery by the conveyor to thecarriage.

.2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a receptacle for receiving batches of the objects which are to be discharged into the chute, means for controlling the rate at which batches of the objects are fed to the receptacle, fourth switch means actuated by the receipt by the receptacle, of a batch of the objects, means controlled by the acutation of the fourth switch means before the actuation of the second switch means for decreasing the rate at which batches of the objects are fed to the receptacle, and means controlled by the actuation of the fourth switch means after the second switch means for increasing the rate at which batches of the objects are fed to the receptacle.

10 3. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the carriage moves at right angles to the direction of feed of empty cartons by the discharge end of the conveyor.

4. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects as set forth in claim 1 including parallel rails for guiding the carriage in its reciprocatory movement, a flexible linkage connected to the carriage, and means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said flexible linkage.

5. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for imparting reciprocatory movement to said flexible linkage includes a piston and cylinder capable of relative movement with respect to each other.

6. Apparatus for handling magnetizable objects comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, an elongated chute having its lower end within the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet, means for feeding empty cartons to a filling position beneath the lower end of the elongated chute, a hopper for storing a quantity of the objects, a weighing container, means for feeding the objects from the hopper to the weighing container, means controlled by the weight of the objects delivered to the weighing container for stopping the feed of the objects from the hopper to the weighing container, means controlled by the weight of the objects delivered to the weighing container for dumping the objects from the weighing container, a receptacle for storing the segregated weighed batch of objects, means for discharging the objects into the upper end of the elongated chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to filling position, and means for varying the rate of feed of the objects from the hopper to the weighing container in response to the relationship in operation between the means for delivering empty cartons to filling position and the dumping of the weighed batch of objects into the receptacle which discharges the objects into the upper end of the chute.

7. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable. objects comprising an electromagnet having oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute within said magnetic field, means for feeding empty cartons to a filling position beneath said chute, a hopper for storing a quantity of the objects, a vibratory feeder for receiving the objects from the hopper at one end and delivering them at the opposite end, a Weighing container for receiving the objects from the vibratory feeder, means controlled by the receipt by the weighing container of a predetermined quantity of, the objects for stopping the operation of the vibratory feeder and for dumping the objects, a receptacle for receiving the weighed batch of objects from the weighing container, first switch means actuated by the receipt of a batch of objects by the receptacle,

second switch means actuated by the feed of the empty cartons to filling position, regulatory means for varying the intensity of vibration of the vibratory feeder, thereby controlling the rate offeed of objects by the vibratory feeder, a first motor for adjusting the regulatory means to increase the intensity of vibration of the vibratory feeder, a second motor for adjusting the regulatory means to decrease the intensity of vibration of the vibratory feeder, and means controlled by the order of actuation of said first and second switch means for rendering one or the other of said motors operative.

"8. Apparatus for handling objects to be packaged in cartons comprising a hopper for storing a quantity of said objects, a receptacle for receiving objects discharged from said hopper, a vibratory feeder for feeding the objects from the hopper to the receptacle, means for vibrating said vibratory feeder, a weighing container'for receiving objects discharged from said receptacle, means for pivotally supporting the weighing container, gate means for controlling the discharge of objects from the receptacle to the weighing container, means for pivoting the weighing container to dump the weighed batches of objects therefrom, and means controlled by thedweight of the objects received into the weighing container for operating said gate means to stop the discharge of objects into the weighing container and for pivoting the weighing container to dump the weighed batch of objects frorn'the weighing container.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the gate means comprises a hollow electromagnet which, when energized, causes the objects to adhere thereto, thereby stopping the discharge of objects from the receptacle.

10. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute disposed Within said magnetic field, means for releasing a batch of the objects into said chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallel alignment as they fall through the chute, a vertically movable platform beneath the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute, a reciprocatable carriage for delivering empty cartons to the vertically movable platform, means for imparting reciprocating movement to the carriage to receive empty cartons and to deliver them to a position above the platform, means operable when the carriage is in position above the platform for initiating the raising of the vertically movable platform, and slotted means formed in the vertically movable platform to permit the platform to engage and lift the empty carton above the carriage and to permit the return movement of the carriage while the empty carton is in raised position.

11. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute disposed within said magnetic field, means for releasing a batch of the objects into said chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallel alignment as they fall through the chute, a vertically movable platform beneath the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute, a reciprocatable carriage for delivering empty cartons to the vertically movable platform, means for imparting reciprocating movement to the carriage to receive empty cartons and to deliver them to a position above the vertically movable platform, means operable to raise the platform, means operable to lower the platform after the filling operation and before the next forward stroke of the reciprocating carriage, and a bumper formed on the forward end of the reciprocating carriage to engage the filled carton and to push it off the vertically movable platform during the next forward stroke of the carriage.

12. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute having its lower end disposed within the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet, a vertically movable platform beneath the lower end of the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute, means for discharging a batch of objects into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, means for energizing the electromagnet in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallelism as they fall through the chute, conveyor means for feeding empty cartons, a reciprocating carriage for receiving an empty carton from the conveyor and transporting the carton to a position on the vertically movable platform, means controlled by the position of the carriage for initiating the operation of the vertically movable platform, and means controlled by an empty carton delivered to the carriage for initiating the movement of the carriage toward filling position.

13. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute having its lower end disposed within the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet, a vertically movable platform beneath the lower end of the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute, means for discharging a batch of objects into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, means for energizing the electromagnet in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallelism as they fall through the chute, conveyor means for feeding empty cartons, a reciprocating carriage for receiving an empty carton from the conveyor and transporting the carton to a position on the vertically movable platform, and means controlled by the position of the carriage for initiating the operation of the vertically movable platform and for initiating the return movement of the carriage to receive another empty carton.

14. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute having its lower end disposed within the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet, a vertically movable platform beneath the lower end of the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute, means for discharging a batch of objects into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, means for energizing the electromagnet in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallelism as they fall through the chute, conveyor means for feeding empty cartons, a reciprocating carriage for receiving an empty carton from the conveyor and transporting the carton to the vertically movable platform, the carriage during this operation also pushing a filled carton from the vertically movable platform, downwardly sloped means for guiding a filled carton away from the vertically movable platform, and means for initiating the operation of the vertically movable platform in timed relation to the position of the carriage.

15. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute having its lower end disposed within the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet, means for feeding empty cartons to a filling position beneath the chute, means for discharging a weighed batch of objects into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, means for energizing the electromagnet in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallelism as they fall through the chute, means for weighing and segregating batches of the objects to be packaged in the carton, a receptacle for receiving the weighed batch of objects, switch means actuated by the means for feeding empty cartons, switch means actuated by the receipt of a weighed batch of objects in the receptacle, and means controlled by the order of actuation of said switch means for varying the rate of feed of the objects to said weighing means.

16. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute having it lower end disposed within the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet, a vertically movable platform beneath the lower end of the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute, means for discharging a batch of objects into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, means for energizing the electromagnet in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallelism as they fall through the chute, conveyor means for feeding empty cartons, a reciprocating carriage for receiving an empty carton from the conveyor and transporting the carton to the vertically movable platform, and means controlled by the carriage in position for delivering an empty carton to the vertically movable platform for initiating the operation of the vertically movable platform and for initiating the establishment of an electrical circuit to energize the electromagnet in order to produce a magnetic field across the chute.

17. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute disposed within such magnetic field, means for releasing a batch of objects into said chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallel alignment as they fall through the chute, means for feeding empty cartons to filling position beneath the chute, means for completing an electrical circuit to the electromagnet for energizing it, means for breaking the electrical circuit which energizes the electromagnet, and means for rapidly extinguishing the magnetic field produced by the energization of said electromagnet, said means comprising a first relay operable to establish an electrical circuit to the electromagnet of reverse polarity, first switch means in series with said relay actuated by the extinction of the magnetic field, second switch means in series with said relay, a second relay for controlling said second switch means, said second relay being controlled by the breaking of the electrical circuit which initially energizes the electromagnet to actuate said second switch means, said first and second switch means thereby controlling the operation of said first relay to cause said relay to be operated to impress the electrical circuit of reverse polarity on the electromagnet for the period of time between the breaking of the electrical circuit which initially energizes the electromagnet and the extinction of the magnetic field.

18. Apparatus for packaging objects in cartons comprising a feed chute having an upper receiving end and a lower discharge end, a movable platform beneath the lower end of the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute and for lowering filled cartons, means for discharging a batch of objects into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, conveyor means for feeding empty cartons, a reciprocating carriage for receiving an empty carton from the conveyor and transporting the carton to a position on the movable platform, means controlled by the position of the carriage for initiating the operation of the movable platform, and means controlled by the carriage in position for delivering an empty carton to the movable platform for initiating the return movement of the carriage to receive another empty carton.

19. Apparatus for packaging objects in cartons comprising a feed chute having an upper receiving end and V a lower discharge end, a movable platform beneath the lower end of the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute and for lowering filled cartons, means for discharging a batch of objects into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, conveyor means for feeding empty cartons, a reciprocating carriage for receiving an empty carton from the delivery end of the conveyor and transporting the carton to a position on the movable platform, whereby the carriage, during its carton delivering movement, also serves to push a filled carton from the platform, means controlled by the position of the carriage for initiating the operation of the movable platform, and a downwardly sloped conveyor for guiding filled cartons away from the movable platform.

20.- Apparatus for packaging objects in cartons com- '14 prising a feed chute having an upper receiving end and alower discharge end, means for discharging abatch of objects. into the upper end of the chute in timed relation to the feed of empty cartons to the filling position beneath the chute, a reciprocating carriage for transporting empty cartons to the filling position, a receptacle for receiving a batch of objects before they are discharged into the chute, switch means actuated by the movement of the carriage,

switch means actuated by the receipt of a batch of objects in the receptacle, and means controlled by the order of actuation of said switch means for varying the rate of feed of the objects to the receptacle.

21. Apparatus for packaging objects in cartons comprising a feed chute having an upper receiving end and a lower discharge end, a filling station beneath the lower end of the chute, an electromagnet for producing a magnetic field across the chute, means for producing relative movement between the chute and the carton to bring the lower end of the chute into telescoping relationship with the carton, means to energize the electromagnet to produce a magnetic field, means controlled in timed relationship and subsequent to the energization of the electromagnet to dump a batch of objects to be packaged into the chute, the objects being oriented in parallel alignment as they fall through the magnetic field, means operative subsequent to the dumping operation to demagnetize the electromagnet, permitting the objects to settle in the carton, means operative to separate the carton and the chute to permit the filled carton to be moved from the filling station, a conveyor for transporting empty cartons, reciprocating means for receiving an empty carton from the conveyor and advancing it to the filling position, and means for triggering during each cycle of operation the means to produce a sequence of automatic operations which include bringing the carton and chute into telescoping relationship, energizing the electromagnet to produce a magnetic field, dumping a batch of the objects into the chute so as to be oriented in parallel alignment while falling through the magnetic field, deenergizing the electromagnet to permit the objects to settle in the carton and separating the chute and the carton to permit the carton to be removed from the platform.

22. Apparatus for packaging objects in cartons comprising a feed chute having an upper receiving end and a lower discharge end above a filling station, an electromagnet for producing a magnetic field across the chute, means for producing relative movement between the chute and the carton to bring the lower end of the chute into telescoping relationship with the carton, means to energize the electromagnet to produce a magnetic field, means controlled in timed relationship and subsequent to the energization of the electromagnet to dump a batch of objects to be packaged into the chute, the objects being oriented in parallel alignment as they fall through the magnetic field, means operative subsequent to the dumping operation to demagnetize the electromagnet, permitting the objects to settle in the carton, reciprocatory means movable between a retracted position and a forward position, the reciprocatory means during its forward stroke delivering an empty carton to the filling station and pushing the filled carton from the filling station, and means to deliver an empty carton to the reciprocating means while itis in retracted position.

23. Apparatus for packaging objects in cartons as set forth in claim 22 including a downwardly sloped conveyor adjacent the filling station onto which the filled cartons are pushed, the filled carton being carried along the conveyor by gravity.

24. Apparatus for handling objects to be packaged in cartons comprising a feed chute having an upper receiving end and a lower discharge end, an electromagnet for producing a magnetic field across the chute, a conta ner for holding a quantity of the objects to be packaged, an opening in the container through which the objects are discharged before they are introduced into the upper .15 receiving end of the feed chute, means for weighing the objects discharged through said opening, and an electromagnet at said discharge opening which, when energized, produces a magnetic flux which prevents the discharge of the objects through said discharge opening, and means controlled by the weighing means for controlling the energization of the electromagnet at said discharge opening.

25. Apparatus for packaging magnetizable objects in cartons comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, a chute disposed within said magnetic field, means for releasing a batch of the objects into said chute, whereby the objects are oriented in parallel alignment as they fall through the chute, a vertically movable platform beneath the chute for raising empty cartons into telescoping relationship with the lower end of the chute, reciprocatable means for delivering empty cartons to the vertically movable platform, means for imparting reciprocating movement to the reciprocatable means, means operable when the reciprocatable means is in delivery position in the path of travel of the platform for initiating the raising of the vertically movable platform, and means forming a channel in the vertically movable platform to permit the platform to engage and lift the empty carton above the reciprocatable means and to permit the return of the reciprocatable means while the empty carton is in raised position.

26. Apparatus for handling magnetizable objects comprising an electromagnet having a pair of oppositely facing poles for producing a magnetic field, an elongated chute having its lower end within the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet, means for feeding empty cartons to a filling position beneath the lower end of the elongated chute, a hopper for storing a quantity of the objects, a weighing container, means for feeding the objects from the hopper to the weighing container, means controlled by the weight of the objects delivered to the weighing container for stopping the feed of the objects from the hopper to the weighing container, means controlled by the weight of the objects delivered to the weighing container for dumping the objects from the weighing container, and means for controlling the rate of feed of the objects from the hopper to the weighing container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Van Uleck June 18, 1957 

